SAN DIEGO – In the first game of the 2021-22 regular season, the San Diego men's basketball team defeated La Verne, 103-38. It marked the largest margin of victory since 1973-74, when the Toreros defeated La Verne 134-68.
 
Six different San Diego players scored in double-figures, including Vladimir Pinchuk (15), Terrell Brown-Soares (13), Jase Townsend (13), Yavuz Gultekin (12), Joey Calcaterra (10), and Marcellus Earlington (10). Gultekin also grabbed 11 rebounds to secure a double-double.
 
The Toreros shot 50 percent from three-point range, making 11-of-22 attempts. USD also forced 23 turnovers and scored 27 points off turnovers.
 
San Diego improves to 1-0 on the season, and will travel to Nevada on Friday.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Brown-Soares scored six of USD's first nine points, including 4-4 from the free throw line.
• The Toreros rattled off a 17-0 run early in the first quarter, including two layups from Pinchuk and five points from Gultekin.
• The run jumped up to 26-2, including a put-back slam for Brown-Soares.
• Earlington connected on a step-back jumper and a three from the top of the key to put USD up 40-14.
• San Diego scored the last seven points of the first half, and went into the locker room with a 49-17 advantage.
• Two triples from Calcaterra highlighted a 14-0 run early in the second half. USD led 68-18 with 15:36 remaining.
• USD extended its lead with a 9-0 run, including six points from Pinchuk and a triple from Townsend.
• Freshman Dominic Muncey, sophomore Scotty Prunty, and freshman Muon Reath finished the scoring for the 65-point win. 

TORERO TIDBITS

• USD allowed the fewest points since the 2004-05 season against UC San Diego (35).
• Gultekin registered his first career double-double.
• Earlington narrowly missed a double-double with nine rebounds.
• Pinchuk was a perfect 5-5 from the floor and 4-5 from the free throw line.
• Sophomore TJ Berger ended with nine points.
• 14 players saw minutes for USD.
• San Diego held La Verne to 1-13 (8%) from long range.
• The Toreros held a 53-35 advantage in rebounds.
• Brown-Soares added six rebounds, three blocks, and two steals in 20 minutes.
• Townsend was a team-best +42.

 
UP NEXT
USD will travel to Nevada on Friday for a 7:00 PM matchup. Nevada leads the all-time series 11-4, including a 79-72 win in December of 2020. Joey Calcaterra scored 12 points in the loss.